I'm going with Beth Rodden, she grew up in the flatlands of U.C Davis, had no climbing nearby, and went to the gym and climbed 5.12 in two months. Was personally selected by Lynn Hill , then sponsored / ( Down to earth and has gone through some personal and physical ups and downs,but has become stronger and determined.( I like her style, she even admits to be afraid of falling.

I have great respect for many climbers (female and male) there are several climbers I feel could give me wonderful advice and inspiration to work harder, but I can't exactly say I look up to any. They are just people like me, but happen to be lucky/skilled enough to climb as a living.

I met Beth Rodden once. She came across as incredibly kind and personable. She also gave me a bit of advice on getting back into the groove post surgery.

Yesterday I was headed out to see what I could do on the Gunsmoke Traverse and on the way in was following a woman with a crashpad. We began talking as we headed over and when we arrived, there was another woman on the traverse, trying for the tough reachy section wheres some people use a toe-hook. Nobody else was there.

It was pretty cool to happen-chance upon "Girls at Gunsmoke." And we had fun. I looked up to both those women, who were quite supportive of me even as I struggled on the moves they didn't think twice about.

But I guess they probably aren't famous....

In that case I guess I would say Lynn Hill, since she spent some time at the Gunks(my home crag), but the truth is that I don't really differentiate in day to day life.

Reading Arlene Blum's biography ("Breaking Trail") was pretty interesting. She was hardcore, and worked hard for what she gained. Her accomplishments were routinely dismissed and she was downright poorly treated by the climbing community, yet she persevered.

Gwen Moffat's Space Below My Feet is one of my favorite autobiographies of any climber -- male or female. Her descriptions of becoming Britain's first climbing guide, her stories of climbing barefoot in Scotland, and her -- somewhat postmodern -- Bohemian lifestyle are really fantastic.

They had to go against a lot of social norms and conventions to be able to do the climbing they did. By all accounts they were outstanding climbers - as good as the elite males of their era for the most part. And they seemed to just really enjoy the act of climbing and the associated adventure. But its not for their climbing exploits that I look to them - its for the lives they lived all around. Certainly a number of today's top women are climbing at a similarly high level relate to contemporary males. Sometimes that have surely had to overcome gender related challenges - although not to the extent of thee women I named. But I don't think any of currently active well known women have led the full all around productive lives of the women I named. Maybe some will.

Lynn Hill- She is smaller than me, so I think Lynn would find a way so will I when I can't do the sequence my taller friends do

Mayan Smith Gobat- http://mayanclimbs.com/ She is Determined, focussed,hard working and a Nice understated awesome Lady.

I have to read about this Mayan Smith Gobat. What do you think sets her apart from the other climbers?

...you mean besides being the best female climber in NZ?

Can't you let kiwiprincess answer? I'm glad you like Mayan Smith Gobat. I just wanted to hear some particulars, maybe you might share her story in more detail . I like to hear from a New Zealander from their vantage point. I haven't been there. I love the fact she's an artist and a photographer and is traveling in a van in Europe. Maybe Kiwi knows her or has met her. I do like the fact she combines art and climbing. Its quite special and creative.

Lynn Hill- She is smaller than me, so I think Lynn would find a way so will I when I can't do the sequence my taller friends do

Mayan Smith Gobat- http://mayanclimbs.com/ She is Determined, focussed,hard working and a Nice understated awesome Lady.

I have to read about this Mayan Smith Gobat. What do you think sets her apart from the other climbers?

...you mean besides being the best female climber in NZ?

Can't you let kiwiprincess answer?

um, you sound like a kindergarten teacher... Must of us are adults here, and I am sure kiwiprincess will not consider my (deliberately generic and obvious) answer as having stolen her own personal opportunity to answer your question herself.

Gwen Moffat's Space Below My Feet is one of my favorite autobiographies of any climber -- male or female. Her descriptions of becoming Britain's first climbing guide, her stories of climbing barefoot in Scotland, and her -- somewhat postmodern -- Bohemian lifestyle are really fantastic.

I've met a female climber from Scotland. She was a great climber and so warm and nice. She even invited me to visit her while I was climbing in Squamish. I haven't read the book it sounds great. Climbing barefoot in Scotland , It sounds like a beautiful place to climb. So lvpne have you ever climbed barefoot?

badass mountaineer from canada early 20th century. pioneered many routes with her husband. had to climb in a dress, until she was out of sight and could ditch the protocol of the day. also raised two kids in the wild and still put up new routes. worked with girl guides, getting out girls and young women into the mountains.

I bet with China becoming a dominant super power this climber will go through the roof. It looks like China's economy, is going to outperform the U.S. in the next 10 years. China may be the next hot spot to climb. I'll check her out.

badass mountaineer from canada early 20th century. pioneered many routes with her husband. had to climb in a dress, until she was out of sight and could ditch the protocol of the day. also raised two kids in the wild and still put up new routes. worked with girl guides, getting out girls and young women into the mountains.

Its amazing she had to climb in a dress. Its a great accomplishment Phyllis was able to raise her daughters and put up routes at the same time. Wow! Sisterhood- In Climbing- Wouldn't that be sweet?